Gaming System And Method

ABSTRACT

A secondary game system, in various embodiments, comprises a system of networked game terminals where a player playing a game on a game terminal can earn eligibility to win a prize from a secondary game that plays simultaneously in the background. The secondary game may be triggered based on play on the plurality of networked terminals. This allows the player to play a first game that earns them eligibility to win another game that is played in the background. The player sends a game initiation request for a game (e.g., lottery slot) to be played on the game terminal. If a certain criterion is satisfied, the player becomes eligible to win a prize from the secondary game if the secondary game is triggered while the player is eligible to win.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/624,337, filed Feb. 17, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/012,113, filed Aug. 28, 2013, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/617,105, filed onSep. 14, 2012 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,545,317, issued Oct. 1, 2013, entitled“Gaming System and Method”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/424,630, filed Mar. 20, 2012 and U.S.Pat. No. 8,545,315, issued Oct. 1, 2013, entitled “Gaming System andMethod”, which was filed from and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/566,653, as filed on Dec. 4, 2011, wherein each of the foregoing isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Sweepstakes games exist that allow a player to reveal a prize associatedwith the sweepstakes entry ticket. Electronic sweepstakes games operateto allow a player to reveal the results of a ticket through the use of avisually pleasing display on a computer or other gaming terminal.However, electronic sweepstakes games do not always keep the playerengaged. The present system and methods recognize and address theforgoing considerations, and others, of prior art system and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computer-implemented method may comprise associating, by one or moreprocessors, each player of a plurality of players with a respectiveaccount of electronic credits; receiving, by the one or more processors,a request from at least one player of the plurality of players to play afirst game at a terminal; receiving, by the one or more processors, anamount of electronic credits required to play for the at least oneplayer; facilitating, by the one or more processors, play of the firstgame for the at least one player; determining, by the one or moreprocessors, if any of the plurality of players have electronic creditsremaining on the respective accounts; in response to determining thatany of the plurality of players have electronic credits remaining on therespective accounts, initiating, by the one or more processors, play ofa second game after receiving at least one request from the at least oneplayer to play the first game; and awarding, by the one or moreprocessors, at least a portion of the prize of the second game to the atleast one player of the plurality of players that has credits remainingon the respective account at the time the second game is initiated.

In some embodiments, the prize may be a shared prize. In someembodiments, the method may further comprise triggering, by the one ormore processors, play of the second game based at least in part onreceiving the request from the at least one player.

A computer-implemented method may comprise receiving, by one or moreprocessors, a request from at least one player to play a game at aterminal; facilitating, by the one or more processors, play of the gameat the terminal based at least in part on receiving the request;establishing, by the one or more processors, a bonus time period for theat least one player based at least in part on receiving the request fromthe at least one player; initiating, by the one or more processors, playof a second game at a particular point in time; determining, by the oneor more processors, if the bonus time period runs coincident with theparticular point in time; determining, by the one or more processors,whether play of the second game results in a non-zero prize; and if playof the second game results in a non-zero prize and the bonus time periodruns coincident with the particular point in time, awarding, by the oneor more processors, at least a portion of the non-zero prize to the atleast one player, wherein once the second game is triggered to play, aserver conducts all play of the second game without input from the atleast one player until play of the second game is terminated.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise at least partiallyin response to receiving the request from the at least one player,triggering play of the second game. In some embodiments, the method mayfurther comprise at least partially in response to triggering of thesecond game, capturing an image of a display associated with the atleast one player if the bonus time period runs coincident with theparticular point in time; and storing the image on the terminal. In someembodiments, the method may further comprise notifying the at least oneplayer of the award of the at least a portion of the non-zero prize. Themethod may further comprise decrementing the bonus time period for theat least one player. The method may further comprise incrementing thebonus time period for the at least one player when additional requestsare received from the at least one player to play the game at theterminal. The method may further comprise receiving requests from aplurality of players to play the game. The method may further compriseat least partially in response to receiving the requests from theplurality of players, establishing a bonus time period for one or moreof the plurality of players. In some embodiments, the method may furthercomprise determining if the bonus time periods associated with the oneor more of the plurality of players runs coincident with the particularpoint in time. The method may further comprise awarding at least aportion of the non-zero prize to each of the one or more of theplurality of players who have a bonus time period that runs coincidentwith the particular point in time.

A computer-implemented method of playing a sweepstakes game may comprisereceiving, by one or more processors from a plurality of players, aplurality of requests to play at least one sweepstakes game; at leastpartially in response to receiving the plurality of requests to play theat least one sweepstakes game, facilitating, by the one or moreprocessors, play of the at least one sweepstakes game for each of theplurality of players making a request by selecting an electronicsweepstakes draw from a fixed number of electronic sweepstakes drawsassociated with the at least one sweepstakes game for each one of therespective plurality of requests; at least partially in response toreceiving the plurality of requests, awarding, by the one or moreprocessors, a bonus time period to each one of the plurality of players;initiating, by the one or more processors, play of a second sweepstakesgame at a particular point in time, wherein play of the secondsweepstakes game comprises selecting at least one electronic sweepstakesdraw from a fixed number of electronic sweepstakes draws associated withthe second sweepstakes game, and wherein the at least one sweepstakesdraw may result in a non-zero prize; determining, by the one or moreprocessors, for each one of the plurality of players awarded the bonustime period, whether the bonus time period for the each one of theplurality of players is operative concurrent with the particular pointin time; and awarding, by the one or more processors, at least a portionof the non-zero prize that results from play of the second sweepstakesgame to at least one of the each one of the plurality of players awardedthe bonus time period that is operative concurrent with the particularpoint in time.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise incrementing eachawarded bonus time period by a fixed amount of time for each additionalrespective request from each one of the plurality of players to play theat least one sweepstakes game. The method may comprise resetting thebonus time period to a fixed amount of time for each additionalrespective request from each one of the plurality of players to play theat least one sweepstakes game. In some embodiments, the method maycomprise awarding at least a portion of the non-zero prize furthercomprises randomly selecting the at least one from the each one of theplurality of players awarded the bonus time period that is operativeconcurrent with the particular point in time. The method may comprisereceiving the request before a respective time counter for each of theplurality of players decrements to zero. The method may further comprisethe respective time counter for each of the plurality of playerschanging color as the respective time counter decrements to zero. Insome embodiments, the non-zero prize may be a shared prize.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendeddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is block diagram of an exemplary floor configuration inaccordance with an embodiment of the present system;

FIG. 2 comprises a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processperformed by the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present method;

FIG. 3 comprises a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processperformed by the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present method;

FIG. 4 comprises a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary processperformed by the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present method;

FIG. 5 comprises the contents of a graphical user interface inaccordance with one embodiment of the present system and methods; and

FIG. 6A-6E comprise the contents of a graphical user interface for asecondary game in accordance with one embodiment of the present systemand methods.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present system support games structured for all gamestyles known in the art. In some embodiments, the present games andmethods can be used in connection with any Class II and III games. Inyet another embodiment, the present games and methods can be used inconnection with Class III random number generated (RNG) games, Class IIIelectronic pull tab games, electronic bingo games, lottery-based games,and sweepstakes games. Embodiments of the invention are agnostic to themethods in which the results are delivered.

Overview

Gaming terminals may be standalone type terminals or networkedterminals. In either case, a secondary game, as the term is used herein,is a game that is common to all players on a group of gaming terminalsand may be played simultaneously in the background. This configurationallows the players on the individual gaming terminals to play a firstgame that earns them eligibility to potentially win the secondary gamethat is played in the background, which provides an enjoyable experiencefor the player and encourages them to continue to play on the gamingterminal.

The secondary game of the present system may be considered agame-in-game. In this regard, according to an embodiment of the system,the secondary game is a game that is linked with a plurality of othergame terminals such that play on the plurality of game terminalstriggers play of the secondary game. Moreover, a prize from thesecondary game is awarded to one or more of the players of the pluralityof game terminals based on their eligibility to participate in thewinnings of the secondary game play. As a result, the players of theplurality of game terminals may be eligible to win all or a portion of asecondary prize in addition to individual prizes awarded on theirrespective game terminal.

In one embodiment of the present system, the player may purchaseinternet time or another product or service, and when this occurs, theplayer may be issued free entries into a sweepstakes. In someembodiments, the player is issued participation credits that can beredeemed for sweepstakes entries. In either case, the sweepstakesentries may be revealed through an entertaining electronic display thatis accessed on one of the plurality of game terminals. In an embodiment,a particular amount of participation credit is redeemed for asweepstakes ticket, which is revealed through the standard game and aparticular amount of participation credit earns the player eligibilitytime to reveal a sweepstakes ticket as part of the secondary game.

In some embodiments, the player may pay a fee to play the standard gameand an additional fee to be eligible to win the secondary game. Forexample, a player pays a first fee, such as $0.25, to play the standardgame, and at the same time pays an additional contribution fee, such as$0.02, to win a prize from the secondary game if the player is eligibleto win when the secondary game is played. Thus, players each pay $0.27to play the standard game, which also enters the player into thesecondary game (and thus, makes the player eligible for the secondarywinnings round). More detailed descriptions of a system and method ofgaming are provided below according to various embodiments.

Exemplary Gaming System

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for providing a secondary game inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100comprises a database 110, a server 120, at least one secondary gameterminal 130, one or more game terminals (that may be PC-based) 140, amanagement terminal 150, a point-of-sale (“POS”) device 160, one or morestandalone game terminals (that may be any gaming based machine) 170, avideo splitter 180, a relatively large monitor or television (secondaryscreen) 190, or any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art withreference to this disclosure should appreciate that other configurationsmay be used to accomplish the methods described herein without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. For example, in variousembodiments, the game server 120 may be configured to also provide thefunctionality provide by the secondary game server 130.

It should be understood that each of the computing devices, includingthe server 120, the at least one secondary terminal 130, the one or moregame terminals 140, the management terminal 150, the POS device 160, andthe one or more standalone game terminals 170, may each have a computerhardware processor, input and output devices (for example, a computermonitor, a keyboard, selection buttons, and/or mouse) and at least onestorage device (for example, memory, hard drives, etc.). These devicesmay also have network connection cards to connect to the network. Atleast some of these devices may also include a computer readable medium,which is further described herein.

The secondary game may run asynchronously with an integrated gamingsystem or as a linked product via SAS to other gaming terminals, incertain embodiments, the secondary game is not intended to be astandalone gaming platform because it is initiated based upon play ofthe standard game on each gaming terminal connected to the gaming system100. There are specific integration points between the game server,gaming terminals, and the secondary game server that allows one or moreplayers to participate in playing a game at a terminal while earningeligibility to win on a secondary game.

The server 120 is configured to communicate data from various devices inthe system and to perform one or more method steps, as detailed below.The database 110 may contain various types of data and computerinstructions for performing at least some of the steps presented herein.Although a single server is indicated for the server 120, and a singledatabase for the database 110, it should be understood that the networkmay be comprised of multiple servers and databases, whether locatedlocally and networked through a local area network or remotely through awide area network or an Internet connection. Thus, the singlerepresentations at 120 and 110 are provided for purposes of illustrationand clarity only and should be understood to represent such otherconfigurations.

The gaming terminals 140 and 170 are illustrated as linked together viaa network (which may be via the network shown in FIG. 1 or anyadditional network). Each gaming terminal may be a standard standalonegaming machine 170, a personal computer (PC) 140 or other computingdevice (not shown). The gaming terminals 140 and 170 are illustrated inFIG. 1 as separate groups (even though they function similarly andperform the same method steps).

The POS device 160 allows players to buy internet time or anotherproduct or service, and play of the gaming terminals could be free withsuch purchases. In various embodiments, the player may use the POSdevice 160 to directly load an account card with credits to play gameson the gaming terminals. This account card is associated with an accountthat the player may use to play the game on a game terminal 140, 170 andearn eligibility to win prizes when the secondary game is triggered.

The management terminal 150 may be a device that is operativelyconnected with the server 120 to initiate, enable, disable or change thesecondary game. Other managerial or supervisory operations may also beperformed using the management terminal 160.

The secondary terminal 130 controls one or more operations of thesecondary game, such as determining results for the secondary game,displaying the secondary game results, and/or any other operations asdiscussed herein. In some embodiments, the secondary terminal 130 ispart of the server 120 such that the server 120 performs all or part ofthe operations of the secondary terminal 130.

A video splitter 180 may be operatively connected to the secondaryterminal 130 and/or the network. The video splitter may be used to splitany received video feed to multiple secondary screens 190. The secondaryscreens 190 may be television screens, monitors or other device thatdisplays the secondary game board and other procedures of the secondarygame.

One or more of the devices illustrated in FIG. 1 may be connected to anetwork as previously mentioned. In one embodiment, all devices in FIG.1 are connected to the network and communicate with each other over thenetwork. It should be noted that the network in FIG. 1 need not be asingle network (such as only the internet) and may be multiple networks(whether connected to each other or not). For example, the network maybe the internet. In another embodiment, the network may be a local areanetwork (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”) (e.g., the Internet)such that one or more devices (for example, server 120, secondaryterminal 130, management terminal 150 and database 110) are connectedtogether via the LAN, and the LAN is connected to the WAN which in turnis connected to other devices (for example, the game terminals 140,170). The terms “linked together” or “connected together” refers todevices having a common network connection via a network (eitherdirectly on a network or indirectly through multiple networks), such asone or more devices on the same LAN, WAN or some network combinationthereof.

It should be understood that FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of thepresent system and various other configurations are within the scope ofthe present system. Additionally, it should be understood thatadditional devices may be included in the system shown in FIG. 1, or inother embodiments, certain devices may perform the operation of otherdevices shown in the figure.

Exemplary Technical Platforms

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the relevant field, the presentsystems and methods may be, for example, embodied as a computer system,a method, or a computer program product. Accordingly, variousembodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software andhardware aspects. Furthermore, particular embodiments may take the formof a computer program product stored on a computer-readable storagemedium having computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) embodiedin the storage medium. Various embodiments may take the form ofweb-implemented computer software. Any suitable computer-readablestorage medium may be utilized including, for example, hard disks,compact disks, DVDs, optical storage devices, and/or magnetic storagedevices.

Various embodiments are described below with reference to block diagramsand flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatuses (e.g., systems) andcomputer program products. It should be understood that each block ofthe block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations ofblocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively,can be implemented by a computer executing computer programinstructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus create means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks. The program code may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider).

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memoryproduce an article of manufacture that is configured for implementingthe function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computerprogram instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus toproduce a computer implemented process such that the instructions thatexecute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide stepsfor implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block orblocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of mechanisms for performing the specifiedfunctions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions,and program instructions for performing the specified functions. Itshould also be understood that each block of the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware andother hardware executing appropriate computer instructions.

Exemplary Gaming Methods

The gaming terminals 140, 170, server 120, and secondary server 130 mayalone, or in combination, perform the method steps of FIGS. 2-4.Moreover, the method steps described in FIGS. 2-4 are examples ofvarious embodiments of the present system and methods. It should beunderstood by reference to this disclosure that these methods describeexemplary embodiments of the methods steps carried out by the presentsystem, and that other exemplary embodiments may be created by addingother steps or by removing one or more of the methods steps described inFIGS. 2-4.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method for playing a game on a terminal 140,170 to become eligible to win a prize from the play of a secondary gamethat begins at step 200 when, for example, one or more players press oractivate a spin or reveal button 306 (FIG. 5) on the gaming terminals140, 170. At step 202, the system 100 receives a request from a playerto play a game, for example, at a gaming terminal 140, 170. At leastpartially in response to receiving the request, at step 204, the system100 facilitates play of the game at the game terminal. At step 206, thesystem 100 establishes a bonus time period for the player.

In various embodiments, a bonus time period is established if a playerinitiates a game play during a defined period of time. In someembodiments, the system 100 displays a countdown timer 302 (FIG. 5) thatprovides the player an indication of the time remaining for the playerto spin to become eligible to earn a bonus time period. In still otherembodiments, a second visual indicator 304 displays a particular color(such as green) when the countdown timer has a first amount of timeremaining, turns a different color (such as yellow) when the countdowntimer has a second amount of time remaining that is less than the firstamount of time, and turns another color (such as red) when no timeremains to earn a bonus time period.

In some embodiments, the bonus time period may be a predetermined amountof time, for example, fifteen seconds of eligibility. Thus, from thetime of the spin (e.g., request to play the game at the terminal 140,170), the player remains eligible to participate in the secondary gameuntil the bonus time period decrements to zero. In various otherembodiments, the bonus time period may be five seconds of eligibilitytime, and the eligibility time may accumulate each time the playersubmits a request to play the game at terminal 140, 170. In some ofthese embodiments, the player may accumulate an unlimited amount of timeby submitting additional requests to play the game at terminal 140, 170,in five second increments. In other embodiments, the system 100 may capthe accumulated time of eligibility to participate in the secondary gameto a predetermined upper limit (e.g., twenty-five seconds). In all ofthese embodiments, the bonus time period decrements in one secondincrements whether the bonus time period is a fixed amount oraccumulates as the player continues to play the game.

At step 208, the system 100 receives an indication that play of a secondgame occurs at a particular point in time. At step 210, the system 100determines if the bonus time period for the player runs coincident withthe particular point in time. The second game can be triggered to playusing any suitable means. For example, in various embodiments, play ofthe second game may be partially in response to receiving the request toplay the game at terminal 140, 170 by the player. Thus, in theseembodiments, secondary server 130 may assign a random number of spins asa trigger for play of the secondary game, and the system 100 decrementsa counter for each request that is received to play a game at terminals140, 170. Once the counter reaches zero, play of the secondary game istriggered. In some embodiments, the random number of spins may beselected between a predetermined minimum and maximum number. In thisway, play of the secondary game occurs at random times based on therandom number of spins selected as the trigger, and the volume of playthat occurs at game terminals 140, 170.

At step 212, the system 100 determines whether play of the secondarygame results in a prize. If no prize is awarded, the method of play endsat step 218. Otherwise, if the bonus time period for the player runscoincident with the particular point in time, then the system 100 awardsat least a portion of the prize to the player. In some embodiments, theprize may be a shared prize where a portion of the prize is awarded toother players who had a bonus time period that runs coincident with theparticular point in time. In still other embodiments, if the prize isnot a shared prize, the system 100 may randomly choose one player from aplurality of players that have a bonus time period that runs coincidentwith the particular point in time and award the prize to that player.

The method of play ends at step 218. In various embodiments, if thesweepstakes game has not terminated (e.g., the fixed number ofsweepstakes draws is not depleted by play of the secondary game), themethod restarts at step 200 and continues until the sweepstakes game iscompletes.

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a method of playing a game at agame terminal 140, 170 that may earn the player the ability to win anadditional secondary game that begins at step 220. For example, the gamemay begin when one or more players press or activate the spin or revealbutton 306 (FIG. 5) on the gaming terminals 140, 170. At step 222, thesystem 100 receives, from a plurality of players on the terminals 140,170 a plurality of requests to play a game on the individual terminals.At step 224, at least partially in response to receiving the pluralityof requests to play the game, the system 100 facilitates play of thegame for each of the plurality of players making the request.

At step 226, the system 100 checks to see if each request satisfies afirst criterion. In various embodiments, the first criterion may besubmitting a request to play the game within a predetermined timeperiod. For example, the system 100 may require that the request to playa game on one of the terminals 140, 170 be submitted before thecountdown timer 302 decrements to zero. If a submitted request does notsatisfy the first criterion, then the player making the request will notbe eligible to participate in the secondary game, and can only play thegame on the terminal 140, 170. Once the play of the game ends, themethod for that player restarts at step 220. If, on the other hand, therequest satisfies the first criterion, then at least partially inresponse to receiving the plurality of requests, at step 230, the system100 awards a bonus time period to each of the plurality of players whoserequest satisfies the first criterion.

In some embodiments, at step 232, the system 100 determines whether eachof the plurality of players who were awarded a bonus time period submitsadditional requests to play the game on terminals 140, 170. Ifadditional requests are made by one or more of the plurality of players,at step 234, the system 100 increments the bonus time period for each ofthose players by a predetermined amount of time. In still otherembodiments, instead of incrementing the bonus time period for a playermaking an additional request, the system 100 may reset the bonus timeperiod for that player to a predetermined amount of time each time thatplayer submits an additional request to play the game on terminal 140,170.

At step 236, the system 100 receives an indication that play of thesecondary game occurs at a particular point in time. The system 100 maytrigger play of the secondary game based on one or more factors. Forexample, in various embodiments, the system 100 may trigger play of thesecondary game based on the number of requests received in step 222 thatresults in the award of a bonus time period in step 230. In otherembodiments, play of the secondary game may be triggered at a particulartime. For example, the system 100 may trigger play of the secondary gameat a randomly selected time interval. In still other embodiments, playof the secondary game may be triggered based on the requests made toplay a game at each of the game terminals 140, 170 regardless of whetherthe request results in earning a bonus time period for the player makingthe request.

At step 238, the system 100 determines, for each of the plurality ofplayers awarded the bonus time period, whether the bonus time period foreach of those players was operative concurrent with the particular pointin time when play of the second game occurs. In various embodiments, thesystem 100 captures and records information regarding those players whohave a bonus time period that is operative concurrent with theparticular point in time, and displays an indicator on the player'srespective terminal to notify the player that the play of the secondgame is occurring and that the player is eligible to participate. Forexample, an indicator may be displayed on a terminal display 300 (FIG.5) that indicates that the secondary game is triggered and that theplayer is eligible to win a prize on the secondary game. In variousembodiments, the system 100 may display several indicators on the gamingterminals 140, 170, such as a blinking border around the display 300(FIG. 5) and a display element in the form of a lock to indicate thatthe player is eligible to win the second game (e.g., the secondarygame). In still other embodiments, the game server 120 recordsinformation regarding each player who has a bonus time period operativeconcurrent with the point in time in database 110 so that the system canaward the prize to players.

At step 240, the system 100 determines if a prize results from play ofthe second game and, if a prize does result, at step 242, the system 100determines whether the prize is a shared prize or an individual prize.At step 244, if the prize is an individual prize, then in variousembodiments, the system 100 randomly selects one player from theplurality of players that have a bonus time period that is operativeconcurrent with the particular point in time and awards the prize tothat player. If, on the other hand, the prize is a shared prize, at step246, the system 100 awards at least a portion of the prize that resultsfrom play of the second game to each one of the plurality of playersthat have a bonus time period that is operative concurrent with theparticular point in time. The method ends at step 248, and if thesweepstakes associated with the secondary game is not complete, themethod restarts at step 220.

FIG. 4, illustrates yet another embodiment of a method of playing a gameon a plurality of networked terminals 140, 170 to earn eligibility towin a prize from play of a game (e.g., a secondary game that is commonto all of the game terminals). The method begins at step 250 when thesystem 100 receives a request from at least one player on the oneterminal 140, 170. At least partially in response to receiving therequest from the at least one player, at step 254, the system 100facilitates play of the game. At step 256, the system 100 receives arequest from a second player to play a second game on another terminal140, 170. At least partially in response to the second request, at step258, the system 100 facilitates play of the second game. At step 260, atleast partially in response to the request from the at least one player,the system 100 establishes a bonus time period for the at least oneplayer. At step 262, at least partially in response to the request fromthe second player, the system 100 establishes a bonus time period forthe second player.

At step 264, the system 100 receives an indication that play of asecondary game occurs at a particular point in time. The system, at step266, also determines if play of the secondary game results in a prize.At step 268, if play of the secondary game results in a prize, thesystem determines whether play of the secondary game occurs during thebonus time period for the at least one player. If play of the secondarygame occurs during the bonus time period for the at least one player,then at step 270, at least partially in response to determining thatplay of the secondary game occurs during the bonus time period for theat least one player, the system 100 awards at least a portion of theprize to the at least one player. In various embodiments, the system100, at step 272, determines whether play of the secondary game occursduring the bonus time period for the second player. At step 274, if thesystem determines that play of the secondary game occurs during thebonus time period for the second player, then at least partially inresponse to determining that play of the secondary game occurs duringthe bonus time period for the second player, the system 100 awards atleast a portion of the prize to the second player.

In various embodiments, the number of spins that must occur at theplurality of terminals 140, 170 to trigger play of the secondary game isdetermined by a random number that is selected within a defined range.The defined range may consist of a minimum spin and a maximum spincount. Thus, in these embodiments, the frequency of play of thesecondary game is based on the number of players playing on theplurality of terminals 140, 170 and the frequency that each playerspins.

In various embodiments, the secondary game configuration can be changed.For example, changes may include a change to: (1) the date of thepromotion, (2) the maximum and minimum spin speeds for the secondarygame, (3) the secondary accumulators, (4) the contribution values orfees that each player pays to become eligible to win the secondary game,(5) the base values of any of the secondarys or (6) any other change inthe secondary game. In various embodiments where changes are made to thefee to earn eligibility for the secondary game, the game terminals 140,170 cache information regarding the change and may make graphicaladjustments to the information displayed to the players.

Exemplary User Experience

The operation of exemplary embodiments of the standard game and thesecondary game are perhaps best understood by reviewing particularexamples. The following examples describe the experience of the playerwhile playing the standard game and the secondary game. In the examplesdescribed herein, the game on terminal 140, 170 and the secondary gameare sweepstakes games. However, it should be understood that the methodsand systems described herein also apply to other types of games such asClass III standalone game terminals.

User Experience at a Game Terminal

Referring to FIG. 5, a player logs into a game terminal 140, 170 byentering a pin number, swiping a player magnetically-encoded card,inserting cash to a bill acceptor on a standalone game terminal or byany other suitable method to activate or associate some account orplayer with the game terminal 140, 170. The game terminals 140, 170access database 110 to determine if there are any credits or feesrequired to play the game, and if so, displays the fees at 308. Theplayer manually initiates the standard game by activating theappropriate button (e.g., the “Reveal” button or other button) 306. Theinitiation request (including any participation credits or contributionfees) is transmitted to game server 120 for processing. If required, thefees or credits are transferred from the account of the player (whetherthe account is a cash account on the game terminal or an accountassociated with the user's entered card) to the game server 120 in orderto play the game.

As discussed above, the player must maintain at least one spin withinthe preconfigured eligibility timer 302 or they will become ineligiblefor the secondary game. Also, in various embodiments, the player mayaccumulate eligibility time for the secondary game with each spin of thegame at terminal 140, 170. In various embodiments, each time the playerinitiates game play on terminal 140, 170, the system automaticallyresets the eligibility timer 302 and initiates a new count down from apredetermined time.

If the player does not hit the reveal button before the eligibilitytimer 302 “times out,” the player will be ineligible to win thesecondary game if the secondary game triggers before the player onceagain becomes eligible to win the secondary game. The player'sineligibility status is saved at the game server 120, and the gameterminal 140 notifies the player of ineligibility by placing“ineligible” at the top of the display screen 300. Ineligible playerscannot win a prize from the secondary game if the secondary gametriggers while they are ineligible, but they can still play the game onthe game terminal 140, 170.

When the player presses the reveal button 306, the game terminal 140,170 send the request to the game server 120, the game server pulls aplay from a fixed number of electronic sweepstakes tickets and returns aresult of the ticket to the game terminal 140, 170. The game terminal140, 170 evaluates the received result and initiates a reel spin todisplay a combination of symbols on screen 300 that corresponds to theresult received from the game server 120. In various embodiments, one ormore symbol combinations for each prize result is stored in the database110, or in local memory in terminals 140, 170, and the game terminal140, 170: (1) retrieves a symbol combination for the prize, (2) assignsa symbol to each respective reel and (3) stops the reels from left toright, one at a time, until one symbol is displayed for each of thereels.

In various embodiments, multiple combinations of reel positions areassigned to each prize level. Thus, the game terminal 140, 170 mayrandomly choose from among the multiple combinations of reel positionsfor any one prize level to present the player with varying displays foreach prize. In this way, the display associated with any one prize levelchanges from play to play to make game play more interesting to theplayer. The system 100 provides an indication 310 of the winnings forthe current spin and increments the user's sweepstakes points 312 by theawarded prize. The display 300 may also include a “total prizes” counter314 that provides the player with an indication of the total prizes wonby that player. Play continues in response to additional requests untilall of the tickets for the sweepstakes have been depleted. Once thesweepstakes ends, a new sweepstakes begins.

User Experience for the Secondary Game

Referring to FIG. 6A, the secondary game display 190 is shown displayingan attract message 316 that the players will see when they enter thegaming area. The attract message can be used to indicate to potentialplayers that the game terminals 140, 170 are part of a secondary gamesystem. Referring to FIG. 6B, the secondary display 190 is showndisplaying prize structure 318 for the secondary game. In variousembodiments, the secondary game may have a prize structure that includesa top level shared prize 320, an intermediate level shared prize 322 anda low level individual prize 324. It should also be understood fromreference to this disclosure that the number of prize levels for thesecondary game can vary. Thus, in some embodiments, the secondary gamemay have four prize levels—a top level shared prize, a top levelintermediate shared prize, a low level intermediate individual prize anda low level individual prize.

The top level prize 320 and the intermediate level prize 322 may startat predetermined level and increase as players play games on theindividual game terminals 140, 170. Thus, a portion of the fee or pointsthat is paid by the players to be eligible to win the secondary game isadded to the top and intermediate level prizes thereby increasing theseprize levels over time.

Referring to FIG. 6C, the secondary display 190 is shown displaying anotice 326 that indicates to all of the players that play of thesecondary game has been triggered. In various embodiments, the notice isa countdown timer that indicates the number of seconds until the reelson the secondary display is spun to display the results. Once play ofthe secondary game is triggered, the secondary game server selects anelectronic ticket from a fixed number of electronic tickets associatedwith the sweepstakes game for the secondary game. Based on the selectedelectronic ticket, the secondary game server 130 determines the resultassociated with the electronic ticket and the corresponding symbolsassociated with the result. In various embodiments, the secondary gameserver 130 follows a similar procedure as the game terminals 140, 170 inchoosing the reel display that corresponds to the result. In particular,game server 130 may select one combination of symbols from a pluralityof symbol combinations available for any given result. The varioussymbol combinations may be stored locally on secondary game server 130or in database 110.

FIG. 6D illustrates the secondary game reels 328 as they spin. Thepotential prize amounts 320, 322 and 324 are also displayed under thereels 328. As indicated above, play of the secondary game, in variousembodiments, is triggered based on the players' request to play games onterminals 140, 170. Actual play of the secondary game is carried out bysecondary game server 130, and the results are displayed on thesecondary game display 190, which is viewable by all participants.

Referring to FIG. 6E, the reels 328 stop in accordance with the selectedsymbols that are associated with the prize result. In the example shown,the resultant prize is the top level shared prize 320. As a result, thereels 328 display three 7's and a “congratulations” message to indicatethat play of the secondary game resulted in a prize. In the case of thetop level shared prize, the prize amount is split evenly among allplayers on game terminals 140, 170 that were eligible to win thesecondary game when the game was triggered.

Alternate Embodiments

In various embodiments, system 100 awards prizes in money. In otherembodiments, the prizes may be awarded in the form of points, internettime, gaming play credits or products. In alternate embodiments, theaward of prizes may be carried out by a cashless implementation ordirectly to the game terminals 140, 170. For example, if a player wins aprize, the game terminal of that player may receive a monetary credit orthe player's account may increase by the prize amount. Moreover, invarious embodiments, transactions associated with prize awards may bestored in database 110 for later reference.

In the embodiments described herein, the games played on the gameterminal 140, 170 and the secondary game are in the form of anelectronic slot machine with reels. In alternate embodiments, the gamesplayed may include bingo, lottery, Keno or poker. In variousembodiments, the game terminal may have a plurality of games that aplayer may choose from when the player logs into the terminal.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:associating, by one or more computer processors, each player of aplurality of players with a respective account of electronic credits;receiving, by the one or more computer processors, a request from atleast one player of the plurality of players to play a first game at aterminal; receiving, by the one or more computer processors, an amountof electronic credits required to play for the at least one player;facilitating, by the one or more computer processors, play of the firstgame for the at least one player; determining, by the one or morecomputer processors, if any of the plurality of players have electroniccredits remaining on the respective accounts; in response to determiningthat any of the plurality of players have electronic credits remainingon the respective accounts, initiating, by the one or more computerprocessors, play of a second game after receiving the request from theat least one player to play the first game; and awarding, by the one ormore computer processors, at least a portion of the prize of the secondgame to the at least one player of the plurality of players that hascredits remaining on the respective account at the time the second gameis initiated.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein theprize is a shared prize.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising: triggering, by the one or more computer processors,play of the second game based at least in part on receiving the requestfrom the at least one player.
 4. A computer-implemented methodcomprising: receiving, by one or more computer processors, a requestfrom at least one player to play a game at a terminal; facilitating, bythe one or more computer processors, play of the game at the terminalbased at least in part on receiving the request; establishing, by theone or more computer processors, a bonus time period for the at leastone player based at least in part on receiving the request from the atleast one player; initiating, by the one or more computer processors,play of a second game at a particular point in time; determining, by theone or more computer processors, if the bonus time period runscoincident with the particular point in time; determining, by the one ormore computer processors, whether play of the second game results in anon-zero prize; and in response to determining play of the second gameresults in a non-zero prize and the bonus time period runs coincidentwith the particular point in time, awarding, by the one or more computerprocessors, at least a portion of the non-zero prize to the at least oneplayer, wherein once the second game is initiated to play, a serverconducts all play of the second game without input from the at least oneplayer until play of the second game is terminated.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising at leastpartially in response to receiving the request from the at least oneplayer, triggering play of the second game.
 6. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 5, further comprising at least partially in response totriggering of the second game: capturing an image of a displayassociated with the at least one player if the bonus time period runscoincident with the particular point in time; and storing the image onthe terminal.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, furthercomprising notifying the at least one player of the award of the atleast a portion of the non-zero prize.
 8. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 4, further comprising decrementing the bonus time periodfor the at least one player.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim8, further comprising incrementing the bonus time period for the atleast one player when additional requests are received from the at leastone player to play the game at the terminal.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising receivingrequests from a plurality of players to play the game.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising at leastpartially in response to receiving the requests from the plurality ofplayers, establishing a bonus time period for one or more of theplurality of players.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11,further comprising determining if the bonus time periods associated withthe one or more of the plurality of players runs coincident with theparticular point in time.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim12, further comprising awarding at least a portion of the non-zero prizeto each of the one or more of the plurality of players who have a bonustime period that runs coincident with the particular point in time. 14.A computer-implemented method of playing a sweepstakes game, the methodcomprising: receiving, by one or more computer processors from aplurality of players, a plurality of requests to play at least onesweepstakes game; at least partially in response to receiving theplurality of requests to play the at least one sweepstakes game,facilitating, by the one or more computer processors, play of the atleast one sweepstakes game for each of the plurality of players making arequest by selecting an electronic sweepstakes draw from a fixed numberof electronic sweepstakes draws associated with the at least onesweepstakes game for each one of the respective plurality of requests;at least partially in response to receiving the plurality of requests,awarding, by the one or more computer processors, a bonus time period toeach one of the plurality of players; initiating, by the one or morecomputer processors, play of a second sweepstakes game at a particularpoint in time, wherein play of the second sweepstakes game comprisesselecting at least one electronic sweepstakes draw from a fixed numberof electronic sweepstakes draws associated with the second sweepstakesgame, and wherein the at least one sweepstakes draw may result in anon-zero prize; determining, by the one or more computer processors, foreach one of the plurality of players awarded the bonus time period,whether the bonus time period for the each one of the plurality ofplayers is operative concurrent with the particular point in time; andawarding, by the one or more computer processors, at least a portion ofthe non-zero prize that results from play of the second sweepstakes gameto at least one of the each one of the plurality of players awarded thebonus time period that is operative concurrent with the particular pointin time.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, furthercomprising incrementing each awarded bonus time period by a fixed amountof time for each additional respective request from each one of theplurality of players to play the at least one sweepstakes game.
 16. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 14, further comprising resettingthe bonus time period to a fixed amount of time for each additionalrespective request from each one of the plurality of players to play theat least one sweepstakes game.
 17. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 14, wherein the awarding at least a portion of the non-zero prizefurther comprises randomly selecting the at least one from the each oneof the plurality of players awarded the bonus time period that isoperative concurrent with the particular point in time.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the first criterionfurther comprises receiving the request before a respective time counterfor each of the plurality of players decrements to zero.
 19. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 18, wherein the respective timecounter for each of the plurality of players changes color as therespective time counter decrements to zero.
 20. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 14, wherein the non-zero prize is a shared prize.